National Parks

October 25, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- The public has until November 23rd to weigh in on a proposal by the National Park Service to hike up entry fees to $70 a vehicle at 17 of the most popular parks, mostly in the West.

Photo: Boole Tree in Sequoia National Monument is the sixth largest tree in the world, but could be lost under Trump’s order.

April 30, 2017 (San Diego) -- Ten of California's national monuments could be reduced in size or even eliminated as part of a review of all such properties, in an executive order signed last week by President Trump.

January 16, 2017 (Oakland) -- Martin Luther King Jr. Day has deep significance for many Americans this year with the fulfillment of what some thought an impossible dream: a black president serving two terms in office. Now, the Obama administration's last days have been marked by grand gestures - including a call for public lands agencies to be more inclusive in hiring practices and community outreach.

Photo: Cedar Creek Falls in Cleveland National Forest, located in San Diego’s East County

January 8, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego Republicans Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa joined with the House Majority in voting for a rules change would allow giveaway of federal lands to states, local governments, or tribes. Potentially, such giveaways could include national parks such as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. It also encompasses all other public lands; here in San Diego these include Cleveland National Forest, federal recreation areas and national wildlife preserves.

December 7, 2016 (San Diego) -- Since 1965, Americans age 62 or older have been able to buy a senior lifetime pass, also called the Golden Age Passport and now The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass. It allows the holder and people in the car free entrance to federal recreational facilities plus half price camping in federal campgrounds. (Saves $30 at Yosemite for instance.) It’s good nationwide. Locally it takes the place of the National Forest Adventure Pass (Mt. Laguna for example).

August 23, 2016 (Washington D.C.) -- The National Park Service is celebrating its 100th birthday this year—and wants everyone to join the party. So they are giving away free entrance to all national parks on August 25th through 28th for the National Park Service’s birthday.

There will also be free admission again to all national parks on September 24th for National Public Lands Day and on Veterans Day, November 11th.

Congressional leadership’s refusal to take a vote to continue a critical parks fund means 50 year conservation program could disintegrate, despite support to pass in both chambers

East County News Service

Photo: Saguaro National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service

September 26, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--The Land and Waer Conservation Act Fund is set to expire on September 30th if Congress fails to act. The Republican leadership is blocking a floor vote, despite enough support in both houses to renew the landmark measure.

“Leadership is dithering and deliberately stalling, because if put to a vote, the House would have the 218 votes needed for reauthorization of this core conservation program,” said Alan Rowsome with The Wilderness Society, which co-chairs the national Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition. “On top of that, the Senate secured 60 votes for reauthorization back in January. So House and Senate leadership are snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by holding America’s parks, trails, soccer fields and historic sites hostage —when more than 75% of America disagrees with them.”

February 7, 2014 (Washington D.C.)-- Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) joined her colleagues in offering an amendment to let the Secretary of the Interior include climate change in considering decisions on conservation and recreation on public lands. The amendment was an effort to improve a House majority bill attempting to undermine environmental protections for National Parks. However, the House Republican majority blocked the amendment’s passage.

“This legislative proposal is perhaps the most direct assault on national parks ever to be advanced at any level in any Congress in U.S. history.” – Maureen Finnerty, Chair, Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

May 4 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- Legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives is falsely touted as improving U.S. border security. Instead, it would “have the potential to devastate 54 of America’s national parks, historic sites, national monuments and other popular park icons and negatively impact the nation’s economy,” according to a warning issued April 18 by the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR).

July 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to “pack your suitcases and travel to some of the most breathtaking and exciting locations throughout the world.”